Pentax Spotamatic F

Ah, this would be a gamble purchase.  It's being sold as an antique, so no way of knowing whether the lightmeter is working!  
As regards lenses, I used to change them all the time, but recently I've been finding myself just sticking to the kit lens.  I think I've missed a lot of shots in the past due to trying to fit a shot into a prime lens.  I think I'm done with that.  So I would probably seek out an m42 zoom that goes from wide to middle.  Of course, I'd happily keep the 28mm around, but my shoulder can only take so much weight nowadays.

Kalimetric wrote:

Hi, I have the opportunity to buy a Pentax Spotamatic F.
Although I've enjoyed taking pictures with the digital, I feel that film has this quality which surpasses the digital print.
So, I've been thinking of picking up a film slr to complement my digital. Hopefully carry both bodies at the same time (I have a Pentax k50 already).
So, would the Spotamatic be worthwhile? It comes with 150/4 and 28/3.5, although I'm thinking that I would prefer a zoom lens that matches the kit on the k50. Primes are good, but I always feel that composition is more precise on a zoom.

There aren't many good M42 zoom lenses, to put it lightly.

If you insist though, I'd recommend looking for Carl Zeiss Jena vario-pancolar 35-70 or hunting for Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm which I believe also came in M42 (but this is pretty big and heavy lens). Bear in mind though, that open aperture metering linkage on Spotmatic F may prevent some off brand M42 lenses from mounting (I had that problem with Mamiya Sekor 55/1.4). Can't say whether the aforementioned pancolar or vivitar mount without problems.

Another option worth considering is to get tamron adaptall adapter with M42 screwmount (Tamron made one with open aperture metering for Spotmatic F & ES) and go with one of the Tamron SP adaptall zooms.

From the lenses you mention, neither 150/4 nor 28/3.5 Takumars are what I'd call good lenses. The best Takumars which (are also affordable) are 55mm, 35mm 3.5 and 135/3.5, maybe also 200/4 (not sure what prices are these days). I'd especially recommend the 35/3.5, this is small, compact lens that is quite sharp and at least in Super-Multi-Coated version, handles flare surprisingly well.

Kalimetric wrote:

Ah, this would be a gamble purchase. It's being sold as an antique, so no way of knowing whether the lightmeter is working!
As regards lenses, I used to change them all the time, but recently I've been finding myself just sticking to the kit lens. I think I've missed a lot of shots in the past due to trying to fit a shot into a prime lens. I think I'm done with that. So I would probably seek out an m42 zoom that goes from wide to middle. Of course, I'd happily keep the 28mm around, but my shoulder can only take so much weight nowadays.

Period m42 fit zooms would be awful. Better to stick to the Pentax primes, that are noted for their quality.

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Some of my photos here.
https://www.instagram.com/kalimetric/

Kalimetric wrote:

Hi, I have the opportunity to buy a Pentax Spotamatic F.
Although I've enjoyed taking pictures with the digital, I feel that film has this quality which surpasses the digital print.
So, I've been thinking of picking up a film slr to complement my digital. Hopefully carry both bodies at the same time (I have a Pentax k50 already).
So, would the Spotamatic be worthwhile? It comes with 150/4 and 28/3.5, although I'm thinking that I would prefer a zoom lens that matches the kit on the k50. Primes are good, but I always feel that composition is more precise on a zoom.

For me, the whole point of using period cameras, is to use the lenses that came with it and in this case would be the Pentax M42 lenses, of which there are many.

Thanks, everyone - that's a lot of responses!  Looks like the zooms are not recommended then. Hmmm, maybe I'll just use the Spotamatic with primes then.  I think I already have a tak 55/1.8, plus a Zeiss 50, so well stocked in that department.  My real reason for changing over is green envy at the images produced on film.  They just look so much more real.
My reason for not looking at a Kx, Km, K1000 is that I am buying in Switzerland, and the prices seem to be quite high for those.  I'm just looking for something cheap to complement my digital.  Also, I've been shooting for 10 years or so, and did a small amount of large format photography, so I'm not completely new to the film world.  I wish I had bought into medium format when the prices were still low...

Kalimetric wrote:

Thanks, everyone - that's a lot of responses! Looks like the zooms are not recommended then. Hmmm, maybe I'll just use the Spotamatic with primes then. I think I already have a tak 55/1.8, plus a Zeiss 50, so well stocked in that department. My real reason for changing over is green envy at the images produced on film. They just look so much more real.
My reason for not looking at a Kx, Km, K1000 is that I am buying in Switzerland, and the prices seem to be quite high for those. I'm just looking for something cheap to complement my digital. Also, I've been shooting for 10 years or so, and did a small amount of large format photography, so I'm not completely new to the film world. I wish I had bought into medium format when the prices were still low...

If you are new to 35mm film and looking for a cheap camera, take a look at the Pentax MZ series. Very capable cameras with screwdriver autofocus, can work with modern-ish lenses, even those without aperture rings. The DA 35mm/2.4 and DA50mm/1.8 work perfectly with film, and you can use them on digital as well. If you want a zoom, I recommend the Tamron 28-75mm/F2.8. MZ cameras often come with battery grips for AA batteries.

There is an Achilles heel though – a plastic cog in the mirror control mechanism that can easily break. However, those cameras are very cheap and finding a new one is not a problem.

alex_virt wrote:

Kalimetric wrote:

Thanks, everyone - that's a lot of responses! Looks like the zooms are not recommended then. Hmmm, maybe I'll just use the Spotamatic with primes then. I think I already have a tak 55/1.8, plus a Zeiss 50, so well stocked in that department. My real reason for changing over is green envy at the images produced on film. They just look so much more real.
My reason for not looking at a Kx, Km, K1000 is that I am buying in Switzerland, and the prices seem to be quite high for those. I'm just looking for something cheap to complement my digital. Also, I've been shooting for 10 years or so, and did a small amount of large format photography, so I'm not completely new to the film world. I wish I had bought into medium format when the prices were still low...

If you are new to 35mm film and looking for a cheap camera, take a look at the Pentax MZ series. Very capable cameras with screwdriver autofocus, can work with modern-ish lenses, even those without aperture rings. The DA 35mm/2.4 and DA50mm/1.8 work perfectly with film, and you can use them on digital as well. If you want a zoom, I recommend the Tamron 28-75mm/F2.8. MZ cameras often come with battery grips for AA batteries.

There is an Achilles heel though – a plastic cog in the mirror control mechanism that can easily break. However, those cameras are very cheap and finding a new one is not a problem.

May I recommend the MZ5n or the MZ3. They are quite handsome cameras and function very similar to classic Pentax designs such as the MX and LX.

If you are new to 35mm film and looking for a cheap camera, take a look at the Pentax MZ series. Very capable cameras with screwdriver autofocus, can work with modern-ish lenses, even those without aperture rings. The DA 35mm/2.4 and DA50mm/1.8 work perfectly with film, and you can use them on digital as well. If you want a zoom, I recommend the Tamron 28-75mm/F2.8. MZ cameras often come with battery grips for AA batteries.

There is an Achilles heel though – a plastic cog in the mirror control mechanism that can easily break. However, those cameras are very cheap and finding a new one is not a problem.

Okay, I'll take a look into this.  Shame about the plastic cog, though.  However, you're right about them being cheap - current bid on the auction site I use is 2 francs.

Kalimetric wrote:

If you are new to 35mm film and looking for a cheap camera, take a look at the Pentax MZ series. Very capable cameras with screwdriver autofocus, can work with modern-ish lenses, even those without aperture rings. The DA 35mm/2.4 and DA50mm/1.8 work perfectly with film, and you can use them on digital as well. If you want a zoom, I recommend the Tamron 28-75mm/F2.8. MZ cameras often come with battery grips for AA batteries.

There is an Achilles heel though – a plastic cog in the mirror control mechanism that can easily break. However, those cameras are very cheap and finding a new one is not a problem.

Okay, I'll take a look into this. Shame about the plastic cog, though. However, you're right about them being cheap - current bid on the auction site I use is 2 francs.

I've had mine for years without any issues

Phil A Martin wrote:

Kalimetric wrote:

If you are new to 35mm film and looking for a cheap camera, take a look at the Pentax MZ series. Very capable cameras with screwdriver autofocus, can work with modern-ish lenses, even those without aperture rings. The DA 35mm/2.4 and DA50mm/1.8 work perfectly with film, and you can use them on digital as well. If you want a zoom, I recommend the Tamron 28-75mm/F2.8. MZ cameras often come with battery grips for AA batteries.

There is an Achilles heel though – a plastic cog in the mirror control mechanism that can easily break. However, those cameras are very cheap and finding a new one is not a problem.

Okay, I'll take a look into this. Shame about the plastic cog, though. However, you're right about them being cheap - current bid on the auction site I use is 2 francs.

I've had mine for years without any issues

I haven't experienced the problem myself, just read about it in reviews.

alex_virt wrote:

Phil A Martin wrote:

Kalimetric wrote:

If you are new to 35mm film and looking for a cheap camera, take a look at the Pentax MZ series. Very capable cameras with screwdriver autofocus, can work with modern-ish lenses, even those without aperture rings. The DA 35mm/2.4 and DA50mm/1.8 work perfectly with film, and you can use them on digital as well. If you want a zoom, I recommend the Tamron 28-75mm/F2.8. MZ cameras often come with battery grips for AA batteries.

There is an Achilles heel though – a plastic cog in the mirror control mechanism that can easily break. However, those cameras are very cheap and finding a new one is not a problem.

Okay, I'll take a look into this. Shame about the plastic cog, though. However, you're right about them being cheap - current bid on the auction site I use is 2 francs.

I've had mine for years without any issues

I haven't experienced the problem myself, just read about it in reviews.

Yes I often wonder about reviews. Whether they are from people's actual experience or if they're repeating what they've been told

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex_virt/

The other thing to consider is that the Spotamatic F just looks really nice.  
I mean, if I look cool walking around with my camera, then my pictures will automatically look better as well, right? 
Some of my photos here.
https://www.instagram.com/kalimetric/

Kalimetric wrote:

The other thing to consider is that the Spotamatic F just looks really nice.
I mean, if I look cool walking around with my camera, then my pictures will automatically look better as well, right?
Some of my photos here.
https://www.instagram.com/kalimetric/

Do you want checkers or ride? If you want a cool fashion accessory, definitely buy the Spotmatic – the most beautifully designed camera ever. If you want to actually take pictures, get something more modern.